I am half way through the final book of The Curse Keepers Series by Denise Grover Swank and I am digging it. It is good so far.
Action packed just like I like em. I love it when the characters have to work
for their happy ending.
Did
you know, if a book does not have a happy ending is cannot be considered a
romance? This is somewhat logical in form, but not all great romances have a
happy ending. Look at Casablanca, if it is not a romance how else would you
classify it? Or the story of Cleopatra, even Romeo and Juliet, neither of these
have a happy ending but are still considered romantic in nature. One of my
favorites, Camelot, one of the most romantic stories of all time is not
considered a romance because Guinevere winds up in a convent, while Lancelot
and Arthur go off to war.
Now
if we really want to analyze the structure of modern day romance, let’s talk
about LGTB romance. Many times these titles are not even categorized as
romance. They are subjugated and broken off into their own little genres, happy
ending or not.
Another
rule is the “only have eyes for you” scenario, there cannot be another love
interest in the story so that eliminates the love triangle.
Another
apparent rule, that I was surprised about, is POV, apparently we shouldn’t care
what the hero thinks as the POV of the heroine is the focus. Personally I am
going to snark at this rule, as I am a reader who likes to know what is going
on in the hero’s head. I want to know that he is holding back and why or that
he is pining for her. That to me is one of the best parts of a romance novel.
What is not said between the two characters and that only the reader knows.
I
know, I know, how I dare snub my nose to the romance gods! Well, sorry, I am a
reader and a writer. I write what I want to read. Sometimes it includes the
“rules” and sometimes it doesn’t.
True
love doesn’t always play by the rules, why should I?
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